Russia ‘is threatening to shoot retreating troops’
DESPERATE Russian forces are threatening to shoot deserters as morale plummets, UK officials said yesterday.
In an intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defence said Kremlin troops have probably already started deploying units specifically to shoot their own retreating military.
As Vladimir Putin’s army continues to struggle on the battlefield, the UK intelligence report released yesterday morning described the specialist personnel as “barrier troops” or “blocking units” used to compel offensives.
The report said: “Recently, Russian generals likely wanted their commanders to use weapons against deserters – including possibly authorising shooting to kill such defaulters after a warning had been given.
“Generals also likely wanted to maintain defensive positions to the death.The tactic of shooting deserters likely attests to the low morale and indiscipline of Russian forces.”
Morale
The British intelligence suggests that morale among the Russian army is now at an all-time low.
Families of the estimated 74,000 Russian soldiers killed in the conflict so far have accused the Kremlin of sending them to their death with little training and of using them as “cannon fodder”.
All Russian men aged 18 to 27 must serve one year in the military.
But a large share avoid the draft for health reasons or deferments granted for university students.
The MoD said Russia is finding it increasingly difficult to motivate and add “auxiliary forces” to its regular troops – particularly in the eastern Donbas – despite a recent extended draft, reportedly completed last week. Ukrainian advances are seeing further Russian retreats.
The latest has resulted in Kremlin forces withdrawing from the southern occupied city of Kherson ahead of an expected Kyiv counteroffensive.
Meanwhile, President Putin marked National Unity Day in Moscow’s Red Square yesterday.
The despot carried a bouquet of red roses and laid them at the Monument of Minin and Pozharsky, heroes of a 17th century war. The event was also celebrated in Irkutsk.